Tom DePaso is named new general counsel for NFLPA

Tom DePaso has been named general counsel for the NFL Players Association, replacing the retired Richard Berthelsen, the union announced Wednesday.

"The players of the NFL knew that they had an advocate who would fight for them while Richard Berthelsen served as the NFLPA's general counsel," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said, ProFootballWeekly.com reported. "Today, they can be confident that Tom DePaso will continue protecting and defending their rights long into the future."

DePaso has been with the NFLPA since 1984. He played linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1978-79.